Art & Water, a Toronto arts organization, stepped up their game Tuesday night and hosted a 2v2 All-Styles battle offering big cash prizes for not only 1st place, but 2nd and 3rd as well.
If you are not familiar with Toronto’s dance scene, the talent pool runs deep. This battle had a few unconventional aspects which definitely challenged the dancers.
The first round called for a choreographed routine to a song of their choice, and the second revealed a random song of any genre, and the dancers had to make it happen. The “any style goes” aspect is always entertaining, and even though they didn’t get as much of a mixed bag as their usual events, the crowd was served headspins, grooves, ground moves, and choreography.
@nowtoronto Art & Water, a Toronto arts organization, stepped up their game Tuesday night and hosted a 2v2 All-Styles battle offering big cash prizes for not only 1st place, but 2nd and 3rd as well. 🕺 #DanceBattle #Toronto #TorontoDance ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
Dance battles can be hard for someone to attend as a spectator because of the lengthy process of working through the brackets. Art & Water plans their events on a tighter schedule which eases some of this long haul pain. Because of this, spectators should show up a couple hours later. Sure, you might miss some moments, but your energy will be better maintained and, in theory, the battles will get more hype as the evening progresses towards the finals.
The winners of the evening were the dynamic duo Tanya Fishka and Maxim Gautsel. This team was one of a few that brought a true choreographed essence to the battle. Their routines were tight and the moves well executed. They showed technique, creatively, and had a dynamic performance quality, which really helps get the crowd on their side.
The last round was where they brought it home. You can tell they have a strong connection outside of dance because they were able to read each other and vibe off of one another’s movements. They were also fortunate to get a Hip Hop song, as that was in alignment with their main styles of dance, which seemed to be Hip Hop and Breaking. However, just because you lift off from the right music, doesn’t mean you always land on your feet. These two dancers took advantage of the music and brought order to the chaos of improvised partner work. The crowd seemed thoroughly entertained, and since this particular battle was judged by the crowd, their 1st place finish tells you all you need to know.
This was just one of multiple battles this year that Art & Water has put on, and their presence within the Ontario dance scene is actively growing. If you’re looking for an entertaining experience that is different from your usual night out, keep an eye out for the next dance battle in your area. For more information, check out their website here.
